The Daily Digest: 4-27-07

Posted at 11:32 AM on April 27, 2007 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

The House votes on the Tax bill today (or tomorrow depending on the length of the floor debate).

DFL House Speaker Margaret Kelliher also said today "I think that it is very likely there will be a bill that goes to the governor that includes an income tax."

This sets the stage for a legislative showdown with Governor Pawlenty, who says "Bring it, don't sing it." (Well, he didn't say that exactly but he said it was no surprise and it will be vetoed).

As a result of the veto threat, GOP House Minority Leader Marty Seifert is handing out these flyers to the press corps:

DFLers say the tax bill provides property tax relief to 90% of Minnesotans and makes the tax system more fair.

The Senate Taxes Committee considers a new Vikings stadium is proposal. No action is taken.

The House overwhelmingly passed a statewide smoking ban on Thursday after 8 hours of debate. MPR, the Pi Press, the Star Tribune, AP, Forum Communications and WCCO Radio have stories.

Attorney General Lori Swanson is mixing it up with the folks at AFSCME Council 5. They want to organize her office. One staffer says she was fired because she tried to organize. Swanson is a DFLer. The Pi Press, the Star Tribune and AP have stories.

Swanson also announces a lawsuit against an Iowa company over annuities.

There's a push for more citizen oversight of the DNR. The Pi Press and the strib have stories.

Here's a profile of DFL Rep. Loren Solberg.

A pro gas tax increase group starts running some ads.

Congress

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar split their vote on Iraq war funding.

The Mankato Free Press also puts DFL Rep. Tim Walz' two cents into the mix.

Klobuchar is one of several senators who back an oil windfall tax.

DFL Rep. Betty McCollum wants to make universal health care a constitutional right.

McCollum also declined an invite to "honor Israel" because she found the founders views "repugnant."

The AP writes about Walz and some other House freshman.

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson will hold a hearing on the Ag department's data breach.

Peterson also says the farm bill won't have more money for commodity programs.

He also discussed the farm bill here and wants the USDA to handle all food inspection.

There were concerns over Tom Heffelfinger at the Justice Department during his tenure. The Star Tribune and the AP have stories.

2008

Gov. Pawlenty will open Arizona Sen. John McCain's campaign headquarters in New Hampshire tomorrow.

Blog Watch
Minnesota Lawyer has a whole bunch of stuff on the Swanson flap.

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